i wish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express a desire or hope for something. For example, "I wish I could travel more this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wish, I wish".

The New York Times - Sports

"I wish I had".

The New York Times - Sports

Oh, I wish.

Independent

I wish them well.

The New York Times - Arts

I wish there was.

Independent

I wish I could".

The New York Times

I wish her well".

Independent

I wish he would.

The New Yorker

"I wish I was.

The New York Times

Yeah, I wish that".

The New York Times

I wish you dead.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I wish" to express a desire for something that is unlikely or impossible to happen, distinguishing it from a simple hope or expectation.

Common error

Avoid using the present simple tense after "I wish" when expressing a desire for something different in the present. Instead, use the past simple or past continuous: "I wish I knew" (not "I wish I know").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wish" primarily functions as an expression of desire, regret, or longing. It sets up a hypothetical scenario contrary to the current reality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I wish" is a versatile expression used to convey desires, regrets, or longings. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and commonly used. Its primary function is to express a hypothetical scenario, differing from the present reality. The phrase appears frequently in news and media contexts, indicating its widespread applicability. When using "I wish", ensure the correct tense follows to accurately convey the intended meaning, such as using the past simple for present desires and the past perfect for past regrets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My wish is

This phrase directly states a desire as a wish.

If only

This expresses a regretful wish that something were different.

I would like

This is a polite way of expressing a desire or preference.

I desire

This is a more formal and direct way of expressing a wish or longing.

I hope

This expresses a positive expectation or desire for something to happen.

I long for

This phrase emphasizes a deep yearning or intense desire for something.

It is my hope

Similar to "I hope", but more formal and emphasizes the speaker's hopefulness.

I yearn for

This phrase indicates a strong and persistent desire for something.

I would be grateful if

This is a polite and formal way to express a wish, particularly when requesting something.

I crave

This phrase signifies a strong and often urgent desire.

FAQs

How can I use "I wish" in a sentence?

"I wish" is used to express a desire or regret about something. For example, "I wish I had studied harder" or "I wish it would stop raining".

What are some alternatives to saying "I wish"?

Alternatives include "I hope", "if only", or stating the desired outcome directly.

What is the correct tense to use after "I wish"?

Typically, use the past simple or past perfect after "I wish" to express desires related to the present or past, respectively. For example, "I wish I knew" (present desire) or "I wish I had known" (past regret).

Is there a difference between "I wish" and "I hope"?

"I wish" usually expresses a desire for something unlikely or impossible, while "I hope" expresses a desire for something that is possible or likely to happen.